MI Senate OKs allowing schools to be dissolved

ASSOCIATED PRESS - Legislation nearing final approval in Lansing allows state officials to dissolve deficit-ridden school districts and send the students to nearby schools.Bills passed 20-18 Wednesday evening by the Republican-controlled Senate primarily address two struggling districts in the Detroit and Saginaw areas.Republican Governor Rick Snyder and lawmakers are moving quickly because the Inkster and Buena Vista districts face the prospect of not having enough money to reopen for classes in September.The legislation lets the state school superintendent and state treasurer dissolve a district with 300 to 2,400 students if certain criteria are met. Republicans say kids need a place to attend school this fall while Democrats say the GOP is wrongly blaming schools' problems on mismanagement.The House plans to send the measure to Snyder on Thursday.